JP2009200673A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for executing a plurality of jobs in parallel while effectively utilizing a storage part. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction device 1 executes image processing by each of the plurality of registered jobs in parallel using an image processing memory 80. When one job is registered, a security region securing part 72a secures a region which is turned to the free region as a security region for the job in the state that there is the free region for a capacity required for the image processing of the job in the image processing memory 80. After the security region of the one job is secured by the security region securing part 72a, in the state that there is the free region for a prescribed capacity in the image processing memory 80, a region expansion part 72b expands, with the free region as an expansion region, a region for the image processing of the job for which the security region is secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that temporarily accumulates images in a storage unit, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that can execute image processing by each of a plurality of registered jobs in parallel using a storage unit. Here, each job corresponds to image processing by any one of a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, a fax function, a box function, and the like.

  One conventionally known image forming apparatus of this type has a copy function, a print function, and a fax function, and has a dedicated memory for each function (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By using these dedicated memories, image processing corresponding to each function can be performed in parallel when input / output units (scanner unit, printer unit, etc.) required for the execution do not compete.

  In contrast to such a conventional image forming apparatus, the multifunction device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a scanner function in addition to a copy function, a print function, and a fax function, and one memory for image processing by these four functions. Is to share. By sharing the memory, the memory capacity is significantly reduced compared with the total capacity of the dedicated memory for each function of the conventional image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and effectively using the memory. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 3626695 (FIG. 4, paragraphs 0056 to 0058, etc.) Japanese Patent No. 3703770 (FIG. 1, paragraphs 0010, 0022, etc.)

  However, in the MFP of Patent Document 2, the memory is shared and the manufacturing cost is lower than that of the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, but image processing by each function, for example, printing and facsimile transmission are performed in parallel. As shown, the memory was not used.

  The objective of this invention is providing the image processing apparatus etc. which can solve such a subject.

An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect is an image processing apparatus capable of registering a plurality of jobs and capable of executing image processing by each of the registered jobs in parallel using a storage unit. In the image processing apparatus, when one job is registered, an area that is a free area in the storage unit in a state where there is a free area of a capacity necessary for the image processing of the job, Secure area securing means for securing as a secured area for the job, and after securing the secured area for the one job by the secured area securing means, the storage unit includes a free area of a predetermined capacity, And an area expansion unit that expands an area for image processing of the job in which the guaranteed area is secured using a free area as an expansion area.
An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein after the registration of another job, the area expansion unit secures the security area for the other job by the security area securing means. If not, the expansion of the area for the one job is stopped.
An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the area expansion unit is configured to execute a job in which the security area is secured in the storage unit by the security area securing means. Of these, the area is expanded only for the job in which the reservation is first performed.
An image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the area expansion unit expands when execution of a part of the one job is completed. An area releasing unit is provided for releasing an area having a capacity corresponding to the part of the job in the storage unit area to a free area.
An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the security area securing unit secures the image processing apparatus when the execution of the one job is completed. A security area opening means for releasing the security area to a free area is provided.
The image processing method according to claim 6 is an image processing method in which a plurality of jobs are registered, and image processing by each of the registered jobs is executed in parallel using a storage unit. In this image processing method, when one job is registered, an area that is a free area in the storage unit in a state where there is a free area of a capacity necessary for the image processing of the job, Secured as a guaranteed area for the job, and after the secured area for the one job is secured, the secured area is secured with the free area as an extended area in a state where a free area of a predetermined capacity exists in the storage unit. An area for image processing of the job is expanded.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, for each of a plurality of registered jobs, a security area for executing image processing by each job is secured on a (shared) storage unit. Therefore, the plurality of jobs can be executed in parallel while using each guarantee area (when necessary input devices or output devices do not compete). In the state where the free area still exists, since the guaranteed area can be expanded for one or a plurality of jobs, for example, the first registered job, the storage unit can complete the job more quickly. Is effectively used.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Best Embodiment)
A multi-function machine that is the best mode of the present invention will be described. The multifunction machine has a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, and a fax function (fax transmission function and fax reception function), and executes image processing by any one of these functions as one job. The user can register a plurality of jobs in the multifunction peripheral, and image processing by each registered job is executed in parallel when necessary input / output devices do not compete.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 10, a printer unit 20, a facsimile communication unit 30, a communication interface 40, an operation unit 50, and a display unit 60 in order to execute image processing corresponding to each function. And a control unit 70. The control unit 70 is provided with a semiconductor memory as an image processing memory 80, and image data corresponding to an image input / output to / from the image processing memory 80 and an image data in the process of input / output thereof. Intermediate data or the like generated by the expansion is temporarily stored. The image data may be compressed or decompressed, and other signal processing may be performed on the image data.

  The scanner unit 10 reads an image from a document and inputs the image data to the control unit 70 (image processing memory 80). More specifically, the scanner unit 10 irradiates light on a document placed on a document table (not shown), and converts the reflected light into an electrical signal by an image sensor (not shown) to generate an image signal. . Further, the scanner unit 10 is configured to perform A / D conversion or the like on the image signal and sequentially input the obtained image data to the control unit 70.

  The printer unit 20 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data output from the control unit 70. Specifically, the printer unit 20 emits a laser beam modulated based on image data output from the control unit 70 from a laser diode (not shown), and guides and condenses the laser beam to a photosensitive drum ( An electrostatic latent image is formed above (not shown). Subsequently, the printer unit 20 forms a toner image by supplying toner onto the photosensitive drum, and transfers the toner image onto the surface of the paper. The paper on which the image is printed is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

  The facsimile communication unit 30 transmits the image data output from the control unit 70 to the counterpart facsimile via the telephone line, and receives the image data from the counterpart facsimile and inputs it to the control unit 70. Yes. That is, the facsimile communication unit 30 compresses and modulates the image data output from the control unit 70 while controlling the connection with the telephone line by the NCU (not shown), and transmits it to the counterpart facsimile. Further, the facsimile communication unit 30 demodulates and decompresses image data received from the other party facsimile, and inputs the image data to the control unit 70 while being connected to the telephone line by the NCU.

  The communication interface 40 enables the multifunction device 1 to be connected to the LAN. A PC is connected to the LAN, and the multifunction device 1 can transmit and receive image data to and from the PC. The multi-function device 1 can also be connected to the Internet via a router on the LAN.

  Image data is exchanged between the image processing memory 80 in the control unit 70 and each of the units 10, 20, 30 and 40 as follows when various jobs are executed. In a copy function job, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 to the image processing memory 80, and image data is output from the image processing memory 80 to the printer unit 20. In a print function job, image data is input from the communication interface 40 to the image processing memory 80, and image data is output from the image processing memory 80 to the printer unit 20. In the job of the scanner function, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 to the image processing memory 80, and image data is output from the image processing memory 80 to the communication interface 40.

In the job of the fax transmission function, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 (or communication interface 40) to the image processing memory 80, and image data is output from the image processing memory 80 to the facsimile communication unit 30. In the job of the fax reception function, image data is input from the facsimile communication unit 30 to the image processing memory 80, and image data is output from the image processing memory 80 to the printer unit 20.
The operation unit 50 receives registration of each job (image processing by the above various functions) from the user, and the display unit 60 displays a message for guiding the registration of each job to the user.

  The multifunction device 1 is a kind of embedded system. Although not shown, the control unit 70 includes a microprocessor, a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, an input / output interface, and the like, and is connected to the above-described units 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. The control unit 70 controls the operation of the entire multifunction device 1 based on a predetermined program in the ROM, so that image processing by each job is executed. In particular, the image processing of each job can be executed in parallel using the image processing memory 80 of the control unit 70. One of the features of the multifunction machine 1 is that the processing of each job in the image processing memory 80 is performed. It is in securing and releasing the area. Hereinafter, this feature will be described in detail. In the control unit 70 of FIG. 1, the processing units 71 to 73 corresponding to the main functions of the program relating to this feature are shown. Each processing unit 71 to 73 is configured to operate in parallel.

  The job management unit 71 manages a job execution state, and the memory management unit 72 manages a processing area on the image processing memory 80 necessary for job execution. The job execution unit 73 controls the units 10, 20, 30, and 40 to execute image processing by each job. The job execution unit 73 can execute a plurality of jobs in parallel. In more detail, the memory management unit 72 includes a guaranteed area securing unit 72a, an area expanding unit 72b, an area releasing unit 72c, and a guaranteed area releasing unit 72d, and each unit 72a to 72d will be described below. Operate.

  2A to 2F and FIGS. 3A to 3F show the jobs A and B when the jobs A and B are sequentially registered, in order to assist the explanation of the respective units 72a to 72d. The process area B is secured and released. For example, job A is a copy of four A4 size images, and job B is a fax transmission of two A4 size images. In each of FIGS. 2A to 2F and FIGS. 3A to 3F, the leftmost rectangle represents the state of the image processing memory 80, and one or two rectangles arranged on the right side thereof are Represents the job status. The length of each rectangle in the vertical direction corresponds to the size of the capacity.

  When one job is registered, the job management unit 71 (FIG. 1) secures a security area on the image processing memory 80 for the registered job. Request to 72a. The guaranteed area here is, for example, an area having a minimum capacity that allows each job to be executed, and may be a capacity necessary for image processing for one image in each job. (The size of the security area may vary depending on the type of job and image.)

  Then, the guaranteed area securing unit 72a has, on the image processing memory 80, an empty area corresponding to the capacity of the guaranteed area for the one job, that is, an empty area corresponding to the capacity required for image processing for one image for the job. If this exists, this free area is secured as a guaranteed area for the job. When the guaranteed area is secured for the job by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a, the job execution unit 73 starts executing the job. In the example of jobs A and B, FIG. 2A shows that job A is registered in a state where the entire image processing memory 80 is initially an empty area. For this job A, a security area is secured as shown in FIG.

  Further, the area expanding unit 72b, after securing the guaranteed area for one job by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a, in the state where a free area of a predetermined capacity exists on the image processing memory 80, extends to all the free areas. The area secured as the guarantee area is expanded for image processing of the job. For example, when the free area is larger than the capacity required for image processing for one image, the job processing area is expanded. In the example for jobs A and B, the area reserved for execution of job A is extended to the entire image processing memory 80 as shown in FIG. (The processing area of job A is composed of a guarantee area secured at the beginning of execution and an extension area obtained by subsequent expansion.)

  The area releasing unit 72c (FIG. 1) corresponds to a part of the job in the area (extended area) on the image processing memory 80 expanded by the area expanding unit 72b when execution of a part of the job is completed. The capacity area is released to a free area. Specifically, when printing for one image of a job for printing five images is completed, an area having a capacity necessary for printing one image is released as a free area.

  In the example of jobs A and B, it is assumed that job A is started as described above (FIG. 2C), and then job B is registered (FIG. 2D). However, immediately after this registration of job B, there is no free area in the image processing memory 80 that can secure a security area for job B, so job B cannot be executed immediately after registration. Thereafter, when the execution of a part of job A is completed, an area corresponding to the capacity of the part is released to a free area (FIG. 2E), and the security area for job B can be secured by releasing this area. Thus, the guaranteed area for job B is secured and execution of job B is started (FIG. 2 (f)). Thereafter, as the execution of the other part of job A is completed, the expanded area having the capacity corresponding to the other part of job A is sequentially released (FIGS. 3A and 3B). .

  Here, the following two restrictions are provided for the area expansion by the area expansion unit 72b. That is, (1) after the registration of another job, the area expansion unit 72b determines that one of the jobs for which the guaranteed area has already been secured if the guaranteed area for the other job is not secured by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a. For the purpose of stopping the expansion of the area. For example, if job B is continuously registered as shown in FIG. 4A from the state where the guaranteed area of job A is secured as shown in FIG. 2B, the processing area of job A is not expanded. That's what it means. Further, as shown in FIG. 2E, in the state where the empty area is generated on the image processing memory 80 after the execution of the job A is started, the capacity of the job A is large as shown in FIG. Assume that the processing area of job A can be expanded. Even in such a state, since the job B is registered, the processing area of the job A is not expanded. Due to these restrictions on area expansion (FIGS. 4A and 4B), when there are a plurality of registered jobs, the job is shifted to a state where the jobs operate in parallel.

  (2) The area expanding unit 72b expands the area only for the job in which the guaranteed area is secured first among the jobs in which the guaranteed area is secured in the image processing memory 80 by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a. It has become. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the state where the security areas are secured for two jobs A and B, even if the processing area can be expanded for both jobs A and B, Only the job A in which the guaranteed area is initially secured can be expanded. When a plurality of jobs have the same capacity and processing speed, and these jobs are operating in parallel, this restriction on area expansion causes the previously registered job to end earlier. This is in line with the user's normal expectation of job processing order.

  The guaranteed area releasing unit 72d (FIG. 1) is configured to release the guaranteed area secured by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a to a free area when the execution of one job is completed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3C, the guaranteed area of the job A is released in a state where the execution of the job A is completely completed. Further, as the execution of job B progresses, the extended area and the guaranteed area are sequentially released (FIGS. 3D to 3F). Since the security area of one job is released when the execution of the job is completed, parallel operations are guaranteed for a plurality of jobs in which the security area is secured.

  The above control of the image processing memory 80 will be described more specifically. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the processes in S11 to S13 as job management, the processes in S21 to S29 as memory management, and the processes in S31 to S35 as job execution are processes by the job management unit 71, respectively. The processing by the memory management unit 72 and the processing by the job execution unit 73 are included. (As described above, the job management unit 71, the memory management unit 72, and the job execution unit 73 can perform processing in parallel, and the job execution unit 73 executes a plurality of jobs in parallel as much as possible. To do it.)

  When executing the processing of FIG. 5 in the multifunction device 1, execution of one job is registered in the multifunction device 1 by a user operation on the operation unit 50 or a user operation on a PC or the like connected via a LAN. The In response to the registration of the job, the job management unit 71 requests the memory management unit 72 to secure a guaranteed area for the job (S11). The memory management unit 72 determines whether or not there is a free area for the guaranteed area on the image processing memory 80 in response to the request for securing the guaranteed area for the job (S21).

  When the determination in S21 is performed by the memory management unit 72, all of the image processing memory 80 is initially free as shown in FIG. 2A. If there is a free area for the guaranteed area (Yes in S21), the memory management unit 72 secures a guaranteed area for the job and notifies the job management unit 71 of this (S22). ). On the other hand, when the image processing memory 80 is occupied by another job being executed at the time of the determination and there is no free area for the guarantee area (No in S21), the memory management unit 72 performs a special process. Then, the process is returned to S21. That is, when a part or all of the execution of another job is completed, it is awaited that the processing area of the other job is released.

  In S22, when the memory management unit 72 notifies the job management unit 71 that the guaranteed area for the job has been secured, the job management unit 71 requests the job execution unit 73 to start job execution ( S12). In response to this request for job start, the job execution unit 73 requests the memory management unit 72 to acquire a processing area for the job (S31). (The job processing area is acquired on the above-described guaranteed area or extended area by the processing procedure described later.)

  The memory management unit 72 determines whether or not there is a free area in the guaranteed area in order to acquire the job processing area (S23). If there is a vacancy in the guaranteed area (Yes in S23), the memory management unit 72 acquires the job processing area in the guaranteed area, and notifies the job execution unit (S24). The job execution unit 73 starts executing the job as shown in FIG. 2B in response to the notification of acquisition of the job processing area within the guaranteed area. By executing the job, image processing for each image (S32) is sequentially performed.

  On the other hand, when there is no space for acquiring the processing area of the job in the guaranteed area of one job (No in S23), the memory management unit 72 determines that another job that is a waiting job is It is first determined whether or not it exists. That is, it is determined whether or not the guaranteed area is not secured after registration of another job and the other job is in a state of waiting for a free space for securing the guaranteed area. If another job is waiting for a free space for securing the security area (Yes in S25), the memory management unit 72 returns to S23 without executing any special processing and executes the other job. Therefore, the end or partial end of the job being executed is awaited.

  On the other hand, if another job is not waiting for a vacant area for securing the security area (No in S25), memory management unit 72 further determines whether or not there is a vacancy outside the security area on image processing memory 80. Is determined (S26). If there is no vacant area outside the guaranteed area (No in S26), the process returns to S23 as in the case of Yes in S25, and the end or partial end of the job being executed is awaited. If there is a vacant area outside the guaranteed area (Yes in S26), the memory management unit 72 expands the processing area of one job to the vacant area outside the guaranteed area, and executes this expansion of the processed area as a job. This is notified to the unit 73 (S27). In response to the notification of expansion of the processing area of the job, the job execution unit 73 uses the guaranteed area and the extended area as the execution of the job and continues image processing for each image (S32, FIG. 2C). .

  As described above, the registered job is started to be executed in the processing area acquired in the guaranteed area in S24, and the processing area is set in S27 depending on other jobs and the state of the image processing memory 80. It has been expanded. When the image processing for one image is completed, the job execution unit 73 requests the memory management unit 72 to release the processing area used for the image processing (S33). In response to this area release request, the memory management unit 72 actually releases the processing area (S28).

  The processing area released here will be described in more detail. The processing area to be released is a processing area on the extension area (FIG. 2E), and the corresponding extension area becomes a free area as the processing area is released. Will be released.

  Normally, input / output of an image to / from the image processing memory 80 is performed by a FIFO. That is, in one job, images are processed in order from the image previously input to the image processing memory 80, and the processed image is output. Assuming that one job is a copy of four A4 images, a guaranteed area is reserved for processing the first image of this job, and the first extended area to the third extended area ( Three partial areas in the extended area) are reserved for processing the second image to the fourth image, respectively. For example, the capacity of the image processing memory 80 may be 20 Mbytes, and the capacity of the guaranteed area and the first to third extension areas may be 5 Mbytes.

  Then, when the processing of the first image is completed, the data of the second to fourth images stored in the first extension area, the second extension area, and the third extension area are respectively guaranteed. The region, the first extension region, and the second extension region are shifted. After such data shift, the area that has been the third extension area is released as a free area.

  When all of the image processing for the job is completed by sequentially executing the job (Yes in S34), the job execution unit 73 notifies the job management unit 71 that the image processing has been completed. Notification is made (S35). In response to this image end notification, the job management unit 71 requests the memory management unit 72 to release the guaranteed area (S13), and the memory management unit 72 actually responds to this request to release the guaranteed area. The security area is released (S29, FIGS. 3B and 3C).

  In the multi-function device 1 described above, for each of a plurality of registered jobs, a security area for executing image processing by each job is secured on the image processing memory 80. Therefore, the plurality of jobs can be executed in parallel while using the respective security areas when the use of the scanner unit 10 or the printer unit 20 does not compete. In the state where the free area still exists, the guaranteed area can be expanded for one job registered first among the jobs for which the guaranteed area is secured on the image processing memory 80. By extending the guaranteed area, the image processing memory 80 is effectively used so that the job is completed more quickly.

(Other embodiments, etc.)
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by specific embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. The present invention can be implemented by changing the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
a. For example, the multifunction device may have a box function, and image processing by the box function may be registered in the multifunction device as one of the jobs. The box function refers to temporarily storing image data obtained by the scanner unit 10 or image data received by the facsimile communication unit 30 in an external storage device such as an HDD. In this case, an external storage device is connected to the control unit 70, and image processing by the box function includes image data input from the scanner unit 10 or the facsimile communication unit 30 to the control unit 70, and external control from the control unit 70. This is accompanied by the output of image data to a storage device.

b. In addition to facsimile transmission / reception, Internet facsimile transmission / reception may be performed.

c. The processing area is expanded only for the first registered job. On the other hand, the processing area of the next registered job may be expanded when a free area still exists even when the first registered job is expanded. According to this, the storage unit is used more effectively, and the processing for the next registered job is accelerated.

d. Assuming that the storage unit is a semiconductor memory, the securing and releasing of the processing area of each job has been described. The storage unit may use another storage device such as an HDD for a part or all of the storage unit. That is, from the viewpoint of ensuring parallel operation for a plurality of registered jobs and effective use of the storage unit, the storage unit does not need to be configured only by a semiconductor memory. However, it is possible to further reduce the manufacturing cost by mounting a storage unit including only a semiconductor memory in the multi-function peripheral.

Block diagram showing the main functions of the program executed in this MFP First diagram for explaining an example of securing and releasing a job processing area Second diagram for explaining an example of securing and releasing a job processing area Diagram for explaining another example of securing a job processing area Flow chart showing the outline of the processing procedure by the execution program

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Composite machine (image processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ......... Scanner part 20 ......... Printer part 30 ......... Facsimile communication part 40 ......... Communication interface 50 ......... Operation part 60 ......... Display part 70 ......... Control part 71 ......... Job management part 72... Memory management unit 72a... Secure area securing unit (guaranteed area securing means)
72b... Area expansion section (area expansion means)
72c: Area opening part (area opening means)
72d …… Secure area opening part (guaranteed area opening means)
73... Job execution unit 80... Image processing memory

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus capable of registering a plurality of jobs and capable of executing image processing by each registered job in parallel using a storage unit,
When a single job is registered, in the storage unit, there is a free area of a capacity necessary for image processing of the job, and the area that has become the free area is used as a security area for the job. Security area securing means to be secured,
After securing the guaranteed area for the one job by the guaranteed area securing means, the secured area is secured with the free area as an extended area in the state where a free area of a predetermined capacity exists in the storage unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: an area expansion unit that expands an area for image processing of the job.   The area expansion unit stops expansion of the area for the one job when the guaranteed area for another job is not secured by the guaranteed area securing unit after registration of another job. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The area expanding means extends the area only for a job in which the secured area is secured in the storage unit by the secured area securing means, only for the job in which the secured area is first secured. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   When the execution of a part of the one job is completed, an area having a capacity corresponding to the part of the job in the area of the storage unit expanded by the area expansion unit is released to a free area. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area opening unit.   2. The security area release means for releasing the security area secured by the security area securing means to a free area when the execution of the one job is completed. 5. The image processing device according to any one of 4 above. A plurality of jobs are registered, and image processing by each of the registered jobs is an image processing method that is executed in parallel using a storage unit,
When a single job is registered, in the storage unit, there is a free area of a capacity necessary for image processing of the job, and the area that has become the free area is used as a security area for the job. Secure,
After securing a guaranteed area for the one job, for the image processing of the job in which the guaranteed area is secured with the free area as an extended area in a state where a free area of a predetermined capacity exists in the storage unit An image processing method characterized by extending the area of the image.

Images